Gate-latch



(No Model.)

No. 504,050. f Patented Aug. 29, 1893.

Ji/zea WPfi 271704 UNITED. STATES .ATENT OFFICE.

JAMES W. PHILIPS, OF POCATELLO, IDAHO.

GATE-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 50 4,050, dated August 29, 1893.

Application filed May 16 1893. Serial No. 474,409- (No model.)

To 00% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J AMES W. PHILIPS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pocatello, in the county of Bingham and State of Idaho, have invented a new and useful Gate- Latch, of which the following is a specification.

These invention relates to gate latches, and has for its object to provide a tilting handle which is operated by a push or pull to open the gate by the same force and movement of the hand, and so nearly simultaneously as not to check ones speed in passing through it; also, to provide for a two-way swing of the gate so that it may be conveniently opened from either side.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the construction and arrangement of the parts thereof as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gate shown in operative relation to the improved form of latch. Fig. 2 is a section onthe line 00-41, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the latch disconnected and shown on a larger scale.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the stile of the gate, and 2 a gate which is hinged to swing in both directions and provided with a stationary catch 3, projecting therefrom a sufficient and necessary distance. The latch comprises a plate 4, of suitable shape, which is secured to the inner side of the stile 1, with an integrally-formed horizontal cross-bar 5, having an opening 6 in the center thereof that extends vertically therethrough. The said crossbar 5 is held supported by three lugs 7, one of which is located at the center and the other two on opposite sides of the said central one, an opening or slot 8 being formed between the said central lug and each outer lug. At the center of the said plate 4 the metal thereof is projected outward to form a bearing 9, to which is pivotally connected an operating lever 10, having a handle 11 at the upper end thereof that projects above the plate 4., and a lower reduced end 12, which freely moves in the slot 6 of the bar 5. On the opposite sides of the said central bearing 9 the metal of the plate is cut away to provide for the free vertical movement of quad rant-shaped gravity catches 13, which are formed of wire and have their inner ends straddling the cross-bar 5 and made straight, the said inner ends of the said catches being unattached and free to move, while the outer terminations thereof are loosely and pivotally mounted in openings 14 in the opposite ends of the said cross-bar. From their pivotal points the said gravity catches gradually curve downwardly toward the inner straight portions of the same and provide for an automatic operation through the medium of the catch 3, which will strike either one of the said gravity catches when the gate is closing in either direction, and after the said catch 3 has passed under the said gravity catches, the latter freely elevating, as will be understood, the said gravity catches on either side will dropdown and the said catch 3 will thereby contact with either straight portion of either gravity catch and thereby the gate will be held closed. In opening the gate in either direction the lever 10 will be oscillated, and the lower reduced end thereof is sufficiently long as to contact with the upper adjacent part of either gravity catch to raise the latter and thereby clear the catch 3 on either side to permit the gate to be swung open,as may be desired. This construction avoids the inconvenience of lifting the gravity catches, and the operation of opening the gate in either direction is made easier and more convenient.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the'principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is- A gate latch consisting of a plate having a cross-bar supported at a distance therefrom with a slot through the center thereof in a Vertical direction, an operating lever pivotally connected to said plate and having'its lower end moving in the said slot of the crossbar, and an upper handle, said operating 1ever beingoscillatedin eitherdireotionin opensame in order to open the gate in either di- IO ing the gate, and a pair of quadrant-shaped rection, substantially as described. gravity catches disposed on the said cross-bar In testimony that I claim the foregoing as on opposite sides of the said operating lever, my own Ihave hereto aflixed my signature in 5 the outer ends of the said gravity catches bethe presence of two witnesses.

ing pivotally connected to said cross-bar and JAMES W. PHILIPS. the inner ends thereof arranged vertical and Witnesses: adapted to be engaged by the lower end of O. E. ANNEY,

the operating lever to raise either one of the W. G. I-IOLCOMB. 

